How common it is
珍贵 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say zhēnguì slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“珍贵”意思是很有价值、很宝贵，常用来形容时间、友谊或物品。
“Zhēnguì” yìsi shì hěn yǒu jiàzhí, hěn bǎoguì, cháng yòng lái xíngróng shíjiān, yǒuyì huò wùpǐn.
“Precious” means very valuable and treasured, often used to describe time, friendship, or objects.
Context note
在儿童学习场景中，可以教孩子珍惜珍贵的友谊和宝贵的时间。
Zài értóng xuéxí chǎngjǐng zhōng, kěyǐ jiāo háizi zhēnxī zhēnguì de yǒuyì hé bǎoguì de shíjiān.
In children's learning scenarios, teach kids to cherish precious friendships and valuable time.
5 examples
这张照片很珍贵，因为是我们全家的合影。
zhè zhāng zhào piàn hěn zhēn guì， yīn wèi shì wǒ men quán jiā de hé yǐng。
This photo is precious because it is a family picture of all of us.
时间很珍贵，我们要好好利用每一分钟。
shí jiān hěn zhēn guì， wǒ men yào hǎo hǎo lì yòng měi yì fēn zhōng。
Time is precious, we should make good use of every minute.
友谊是珍贵的礼物，我们要珍惜朋友。
yǒu yì shì zhēn guì de lǐ wù， wǒ men yào zhēn xī péng yǒu。
Friendship is a precious gift, we should cherish friends.
这本书很珍贵，是爷爷送给我的生日礼物。
zhè běn shū hěn zhēn guì， shì yé ye sòng gěi wǒ de shēng rì lǐ wù。
This book is precious, it is a birthday gift from my grandpa.
每一颗种子都很珍贵，我们要好好种植。
měi yì kē zhǒng zi dōu hěn zhēn guì， wǒ men yào hǎo hǎo zhǒng zhí。
Every seed is precious, we should plant them carefully.
5 mini stories
小明找到了一颗珍贵的宝石。他把它送给了妈妈。
xiǎo míng zhǎo dào le yì kē zhēn guì de bǎo shí。 tā bǎ tā sòng gěi le mā ma。
Xiao Ming found a precious gem. He gave it to his mother.
小花的日记本很珍贵。里面记录了她和朋友的快乐时光。
xiǎo huā de rì jì běn hěn zhēn guì。 lǐ miàn jì lù le tā hé péng yǒu de kuài lè shí guāng。
Xiao Hua's diary is precious. It records happy times with her friends.
老师告诉我们，每一本书都很珍贵。我们要爱护图书。
lǎo shī gào sù wǒ men， měi yì běn shū dōu hěn zhēn guì。 wǒ men yào ài hù tú shū。
The teacher told us that every book is precious. We should take care of books.
小刚的玩具车很珍贵。那是爸爸亲手做的。
xiǎo gāng de wán jù chē hěn zhēn guì。 nà shì bà ba qīn shǒu zuò de。
Xiao Gang's toy car is precious. It was made by his father.
森林里的每一朵花都很珍贵。我们要保护自然。
sēn lín lǐ de měi yì duǒ huā dōu hěn zhēn guì。 wǒ men yào bǎo hù zì rán。
Every flower in the forest is precious. We should protect nature.